After last week’s small detour via rant ville I thought I better get back on track and start talking about the club I was asked to write about again this week.
Last Saturday saw us travel up to Lossiemouth to take on a team we have faced twice this season already – at home in the league and away in the Scottish Cup.
Both times we tasted victory but without really playing to what I would class as our best. We won again to keep the winning streak going with a resounding 5-1 victory.
Star of the show on the day was Gary McGowan with a hat-trick, although goal of the day probably went to Gary Harris with a cracking free-kick from 30 odd yards out.
This weekend sees us take on Fort William at home and whilst I want us to win I do have a little soft spot for Fort William.
Seen as the perennial ‘whipping boys’ of the league they are on a wee climb up the league of late and I don’t think I know one person in the Highland League community who isn’t happy for them (apart from maybe the two managers who ended up leaving their posts after being beaten by the Fort).
As far as I am aware the last time they won three games in a row was in 2002 and they have never won four games in a row, due to a postponement against Deveronvale last weekend that fourth game is now against us.
I am now torn because while I want the Fort to do well and get that fourth win – I do not want that to be at the expense of our league form while we are chasing Brora. Ideally for me this game could be postponed this weekend and then the Fort could have their win next weekend instead!
Of course when it comes down to it heart and head both say we need to win to continue with opening a gap between ourselves and Wick in third place.
Although being honest with myself and admitting that over the course we probably won’t challenge Brora just yet (maybe in the next two/three seasons going by current performances), I keep pessimistically expecting our form to dip and a few bad results to creep in, however it hasn’t happened yet.
I am delighted by this but even if the form was to dip I like to think that I wouldn’t turn in to one of those fans who taste a little success and when things take a slight downturn start slating the players and management.
At the end of the day I don’t think I have ever seen a player go on the pitch for Turriff Utd and give less than 100%. Maybe that 100% wasn’t good enough on the day but its never been through lack of effort (apart from maybe one game that springs to mind!).
For me at this level that is to be admired – maybe some of the players in the upper echelons could take a leaf out of the Highland League players books in how to show a bit of effort!
Till next week #MIT #bringbackSHFLtv